Dixie Wurster

I am a wheat weaver from Montoursville.Wheat weaving or straw work is a traditional farm folk art practiced around the world. Weavings are created as symbols of love, blessing, faith, thanksgiving for the harvest, and hope for a plentiful crop the coming year.

We grow small plots of wheat, rye, oats, barley, sorghum, ornamental grasses, and flowers on our farm. Harvesting begins in June. Straw for weaving is cut, dried, bleached, cleaned, sorted for size, and stored. A 20-minute warm water soaking of the straw is necessary before weaving can begin.

My favorite designs are woven of 18th and 19th century hat plaits with names such as Diamonds, Snails Track, and Batwing. I also weave English “Corn Dollies.” The word “corn” is a term used in Europe referring to all types of grain. A “dolly” refers to any item made of straw. New designs are often blended with the old traditional patterns.

The smallest item is a little heart called a Mordiford, 3 by 6 inches, made of the 6-straw fill-the-gap plait. I also offer botanical and wheat wreaths and decorated wheat sheaves. Below are examples of my work.